Story from My Vizag Navy Days – “XXX” House

A few days ago – I met a Navy Friend – we had served together in the Naval Dockyard at Vizag – and we had a discussion on “Overtime”. 

This made me made me hark back to our glorious “Vizag Days” in the 1980’s – around 30 years ago – and – I remembered this story. 

During my longish tenure in Visakhapatnam (Vizag) – I had two appointments – one afloat on a frontline warship – and one ashore in the inimitable Vizag Dockyard.

Later – I had a most satisying tenure of 6 years in the premier Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. 

Serving in a Naval Dockyard is a unique professionally fulfilling experience. 

I have permanently etched in my mind – many unforgettable memories of my time in the two “Yards”.

Here is a hilarious story which happened during my delightful Vizag Dockyard Days...

“XXX” HOUSE 

Unforgettable Memories of My Navy Life

A Fictional Spoof

By

VIKRAM KARVE

This happened around 30 years ago – in the 1980’s – during my Vizag Dockyard Days.

A Senior Foreman was promoted to Officer Rank (Civilian Officer).

He called us to his house for a party to celebrate his promotion.

We were pleasantly surprised to see that he had built a posh bungalow.

When we saw the name of his bungalow – we was even more surprised and puzzled.

He had named his bungalow after a submarine – INS “XXX”

Engraved in large letters was the name of his impressive bungalow:

“XXX” HOUSE

I had never seen anyone name his house after the name of a ship or submarine.

Of course – some old “sea dogs” had named their homes with the ubiquitous Navy name “ANCHORAGE” – but I had not seen any Naval Officer name his house after the name of a Ship or Submarine.

Hence – I was quite curious about the unusual name for his house – so I asked him the reason for naming his home after a submarine. 

The Senior Foreman candidly said to me:

“Sir, I could build this bungalow only because of the overtime (OT) money that I earned from the refit of submarine INS “XXX” 

You know, Sir – that “XXX” is under refit for so many years – and we have regular “OT” almost every day – and so many full night “OT’s” – and I have been working on the refit of “XXX” right from the beginning – so I got plenty of “OT” money thanks to INS “XXX” – which I saved to build this bungalow. 

So – I named my bungalow “XXX” House as a mark of gratitude to submarine INS “XXX” – because of whose refit OT money – this bungalow was possible...” 

“That’s great...” I said.

Then – I smiled – and I remarked to him: 

“By the way – the way the refit of “XXX” is progressing – it appears that it may take many more years to finish – and I am sure you will earn much more Overtime (OT) from the remaining refit of “XXX” – and you will be able to build an even more lavish bungalow – maybe you can name it “XXX” PALACE – or – “XXX” MANSION – or maybe – “OT” HOUSE...”

“Sir – sadly that is not possible...” he said.

“Not possible – why...?” I asked him.

“Sir – now I have become an Officer – and Officers do not get Overtime (OT)...” he said, with a pensive look on his face.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
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2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
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Disclaimer:

1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.  

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

     

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

 

This is a revised re-post of my story “XXX” HOUSE posted online by me Vikram Karve more than two years ago on 06 April 2015 in this Blog (Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve) at url http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/04/humor-in-uniform-xxx-house.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/04/humor-in-uniform-overtime.html etc

Wealth Management Made Simple

WEALTH MANAGEMENT MADE SIMPLE

Musings of a Veteran

By

VIKRAM KARVE 

HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU NEED TO BE HAPPY...?

In your opinion – How much Money do you need to be Happy...?

Give me a figure. 

One Lakh – Ten Lakhs – One Crore – Ten Crore – One Million – Ten Million – One Billion – or even more... (Rupees or Dollars)

How much money do you need to be happy...?

Suppose you have decided that – to be happy – you need a home of your own – and – you must have a certain bank balance.

One day – after slogging for many years – when you have earned that amount of money which you had planned – and – you have a home of your own – will you sit back satisfied, relax and be happy all your life...?

Or – will you keep on striving to earn more and more money – till your dying day...?

Way back in the 1970’s – when we were studying Engineering – we wanted a Cycle – and we wanted a Job after completing our engineering studies. 

Yes – when we were students we desired to have a Cycle – a simple bicycle. 

I got my own cycle.

Then we wanted a Job.

Yes – our principle desire after completing our B. Tech. was to get a job.

I got a job.

After we got a job – we wanted a Motorcycle – and then – a Bajaj Scooter.

Yes – those days – a Bajaj Scooter was the ultimate status symbol – for which one had to patiently wait in a queue for a few years. 

A few years later – one day – I had a coveted Bajaj Scooter – and – I was happy. 

In my wildest dreams – I had never imagined that I would have a car – but many years later – I was a proud owner of a car too. 

Soon – I had my own home – and – I had enough money to live a reasonably comfortable life. 

Now – what more do I want...? 

That is when I decided that – “enough is enough”

I “retired” from my “job” – and – I decided to invest my my time in what I like to do best – Writing and Blogging.  

And – that is what I am doing ever since I “retired” – Writing and Blogging.

YOU EARN MONEY – YOU INVEST YOUR MONEY 

but 

DO YOU INVEST YOUR “TIME” TO BE HAPPY...?

Remember:

You can always earn more MONEY 

but 

You cannot get back lost TIME

That is why – “Time” is the most valuable resource

Yes – “Time” is a much more valuable resource than money

Are you so hard up for Money – that – you want to Trade your Time for Money...?

And – if you do need money – how much money do you need – and – how much of your time are you willing to trade for earning money...?

The “Time vs Money Trade Balance” is a fine balance – and – you have to decide for yourself.

I write and blog every day.

I have written a book of short stories, a foodie book – and – I am leisurely writing my novel now. 

My Main Blog – Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve – this blog crossed 2 Million pageviews last year – and my Blog is now nearing 2.5 Million pageviews (Present Count 2,443,665 pageviews) – and – I have other blogs too – which also have good readership.

Yes – I am writing leisurely – without deadlines – because I want to enjoy my writing.

In fact – I have realized that the creative writing process (the journey) is more enjoyable than the destination (publication).

I do not earn any money from my writing and blogging.

But – I get tremendous happiness when I write and blog.

Earlier – during my working years – when I did a job – I traded my Time for earning Money.

Now – after retirement – thanks to the money I have earned and saved all these years – I am able to invest my time in things that make me happy.

Ever since I retired many years ago – I am leading the life that I always wanted to live 

Well – maybe not 100% – but I am almost living the life that I always wanted to live after retirement – maybe 90%.

Tell me – Dear Reader: 

If you are happy and content here and now – with the money you have – then – what is the point of investing your time – in doing something – that you don’t enjoy doing...?

DO YOU HAVE A CAPACITY FOR CONTENTMENT...?

There is a Chinese saying:

He who knows that Enough is Enough – will always have Enough

It is the same with money:

“If you know when Enough is Enough – you will always have Enough” 

Let my try and illustrate this concept by a metaphorical example. 

MONEY IS LIKE PETROL – AND – YOU ARE THE CAR

Money is like petrol in a car. 

Money is not the car. 

Money is not the destination. 

The petrol in your car enables you to go from place “A” to place “B”. 

Now suppose – you have reached your destination place “B”.

You are happy and content at being at place “B”.

There is another place “C”. 

Now – if you fill more petrol in your car ( “earn more money in your life” ) – you will be able to go from place “B” to place “C”. 

But – you are happy and content at being at place “B” – and – you do not want to go to place “C”.

Then is filling up more petrol in your car of any use...?

Of what use is petrol – if you do not want to travel – because you are content where you are...?   

Why fill petrol in your car when you don’t want to travel...? 

In such a situation – isn’t petrol useless...?

Similarly: 

What is the use of earning more money – if you already happy with the amount of money you have...?

Do you have a “capacity for contentment”...? 

Do you know when “enough is enough”...?

AN INSPIRATIONAL STORY OF THE HAPPY FISHERMAN 

I am sure you have read a version of this meaningful inspirational story:

A fisherman lived on a tropical island.  

The fisherman fished for his family – and he had plenty of time to play with his children, to enjoy the beauty around him and to be a good neighbour.

A yacht arrived carrying a wealthy entrepreneur.  

The fisherman took him out for a day’s fishing. 

As the day went on – the entrepreneur looked at the beautiful island with its silver sand fringed with palm trees, the calm blue sea filled with a rainbow of darting fish. 

The entrepreneur saw the opportunity for development and making lots of money. 

The wealthy and successful entrepreneur was a magnanimous man – so he thought he must help the fisherman by offering him the idea – so he said to the fisherman: 

“Why don’t you build a hotel and encourage tourists to come to the island...?”

“A hotel...?” the fisherman asked perplexed.

“Yes – a hotel...” the businessman said, “in fact – you should build a holiday village with a sports complex – so people can come and relax.  It could be so successful that you could build an air-strip – so you can offer the whole package to the tourists – so you can cut out the middle man and make even greater profits.”

“Why should I do that...?” asked the fisherman.

“You would make lots of money and be rich of course...” replied the entrepreneur.

“How long would it take...?” asked the fisherman

“I would think it would take 10 years to be really successful...” answered the entrepreneur.

“What would I do with all that money...?” asked the fisherman.

“You could go on exotic holidays to a beautiful island – where you could fish – play with your children – and have plenty of time to enjoy the beauty all around you...” replied the entrepreneur.

“But that is exactly what I am doing right now – isn’t it...?” asked the bewildered fisherman.  

HAPPINESS AND CONTENTMENT ARE HERE AND NOW – NOT IN THE FUTURE

Sometimes – we can have happiness and contentment – here and now.

But – we keep on struggling and aspiring for more and more – and – we do not enjoy what we already have. 

Yes – Your Happiness is Here and Now – not in some distant future – so – there is no need to be ambitious – and ruin your present – while trying to chase some distant happiness.

It would be apt to quote Warren Buffet: 

“I really like my life. 

I have arranged my life so that I can do what I want... 

I get to do what I like to do every single day of the year...”

I think I can say this about me too.

Barring unforeseen contingencies – I am able to do what I like to do almost every day of my life.

DO YOU KNOW WHEN “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH”...?

Dear Reader: 

May I wish you happiness and contentment “here and now” – wherever you are – with whatever you have got.

Remember:

Money is like petrol in a car.

Money is not the car.

You need to fill only that much petrol that is required to take you to your destination.

What is the point of filling excess petrol – if you do not want to travel further...?

If you know when “enough is enough” – you will always have enough.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. These are my personal views. They may or may not work for everyone. Please exercise your own due diligence in your life.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

  

This is an revised, updated and abridged version of a self-help article I wrote long back, 25 years ago, in the 1990s, and first posted online on my blogs more than 8 years ago in 2009, and reposted later at urls: http://creative.sulekha.com/enough-is-enough_468090_blog  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2010/11/capacity-for-contentment.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/05/money-buys-happiness-how-much-money-do.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/05/money.html andhttp://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/09/musings-on-eve-of-my-birthday-enough-is.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/02/how-much-money-do-you-need-to-be-happy.html etc